The vasum snail is a remarkable predator in the marine ecosystem, known for its tactical hunting prowess. Dwelling in tropical and subtropical waters, it utilizes its well-developed radula, a tooth-like structure, to capture and consume prey, primarily consisting of other mollusks and small marine organisms. Its predatory behavior is integral to maintaining the ecological balance, controlling populations of its prey species and contributing to the marine food web.
This tiny creature inspired the moniker for Detroit’s VAZUM, comprised of Zach Pliska and Emily Sturm. With a plethora of albums and music videos under their belt, all produced from their own Light Echo Studio, VAZUM has garnered a loyal following with their distinctive sound and uncompromising aesthetic, which they call “deathgaze.”
Breach is the second single from VAZUM’s forthcoming album, Western Violence. The fast-paced rock song portrays a dystopian reality where individuals face erasure and subjugation by an oppressive regime driven by automation and artificial intelligence. Emotions and humanity are deemed obsolete, with technology tightening its grip through manipulation, mind control, and the imposition of alternate realities. Amidst this bleak landscape, an inner force resists control, but the overarching narrative is one of systematic cleansing, indefinite imprisonment, and rampant hostility, painting a picture of an inescapable conflict between the organic and the mechanized.
The colorful video captures the band against a backdrop of eerie projections, including mysterious shadow figures and unsettling dark web imagery. Frightening headlines and apocalyptic visions flash across the screen, creating an atmosphere of unease and dystopia. This visual presentation complements the band’s thematic undertones, skillfully immersing the viewer in a world of digital and existential dread.
Watch the video for “Breach” below:
VAZUM recorded and produced Breach at Light Echo Studio, their newly renovated church studio and living space in Jackson, MI.
Listen and find the track via Bandcamp below:
With the release of their debut single Fall Guy in 2017, VAZUM quickly gained attention and recorded three albums – VAZUM (2018), Void (2018), and Variant (2019) – with the help of some friends who joined the band for live shows.
VAZUM is playing select shows in the UK and France in April. Get your tickets and tour info here.
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